Re: Successful Packard Hunt

Posted by HH56 On 2012/10/28 12:23:41

DOT 3 is fine. That's what was there originally. I doubt you will find air in the lines. If there were, you would have a very soft spongy to poor brake pedal. But it certainly won't hurt to do it again.

I'm not aware of any additive that will help much on the seals. The sealing surface is small and once dried, subject to any abrasion that might be present. Old dried fluid and whatever gunk is with it can make a fine scouring powder. There is also the pot metal casting and the chrome piston surface. I have taken several units apart where the casting has so many pit cavities the outer seal ring surface could barely find a solid surface to rest against -- let alone seal against. Same with the piston. Where the lip sits, more than one have had a rough ring etched into the metal finish.

I'm thinking the brake cleaner would not do any good with the problem. You could risk not being able to get all the stuff out to try doing anything with the system intact.

Doubt you will have had any engine issues with burning fluid. More importantly if it is sucking that much to be concerned about engine damage, I'd be more worried it would worsen and you would suck enough fluid out between a successful stop to have an empty master and not be so lucky on the next. I personally would not drive the car with the situation.